Halifax-based Tribe Network’s Black Startup Project hosted its first pitch competition Tuesday as part of its AYA Day event celebrating Black entrepreneurs, with startups from all four Atlantic Provinces participating.
Fifteen shortlisted companies pitched to a panel of BIPOC judges and five winners were awarded $500 apiece. Another company also received $500 as an audience choice award, and everyone who pitched was given $50.
Founded in 2021 by social entrepreneur Alfred Burgesson, Tribe offers support and training services for black-owned companies. The Black Start-Up Project is a Tribe initiative aimed specifically at fostering Black founders in the innovation ecosystem.
During the event, Burgesson pledged to provide mentoring and networking support to everyone who pitched, regardless of whether they won.
Winners
Pilot X Technologies (Audience Choice)
Kendall Darling
Halifax
Pilot X plans a new ride sharing and delivery service that empowers its drivers through better working conditions and fair pay.
Shante Russell
Bedford, NS
Love & Lather sells vegan skincare and handmade bath products.
Halifax Charcuterie
Meghan Symonds
Halifax
Halifax Charcuterie sells premium charcuterie boards and has plans to diversify into related items, such as cutting boards.
The Ceramic Workroom
Julian Covey
Halifax
The Ceramic Workroom will be both a ceramics supply store and a co-working space for aspiring ceramics artists.
Affluence
Laughter Afolabi
St. John’s
Affluence is a platform for marketers to collaborate with "micro-influencers" — online personalities with 50,000 followers or less
Sandra Hannebohm
Halifax
Twice as Good will be a news outlet focused on stories related to the Black community, with an emphasis on helping readers understand the events of the day without unduly depressing them.
Runners up
Daniel Morka
Dartmouth, NS
Essential Recruit is a labour marketplace for the healthcare field that assists employers with challenges like navigating immigration paperwork and employee retention.
Ingrid Broussillon
Vancouver, BC
Griottes Polygottes uses improvisational acting classes as a tool for teaching languages — English and French so far.
SudDrop
Jayrell Diggs
Dartmouth, NS
SudDrop is a courier service for people that use laundromats. Instead of going in person, customers can have Diggs’s company pick up their laundry and return it freshly washed.
Ooreva Software & Technology
Lopsii Olagoke
Sackville, NB
Ooreva is an online marketplace for university students to sell their used textbooks.
Baha Blends
O’Neil Miller
Halifax
Baha Blends is a consumer goods company that specializes in traditional, non-alcoholic Caribbean beverages, with alcoholic drinks to come in future.
MJ Hair
Oyin Funsho
MJ Hair sells high end, human hair wigs.
GoCabs
Samuel Ilunga
St. John's
GoCabs is an app for summoning taxis, similar to how someone might send for an Uber.
Distinct Magic Decor
Solange Ake
Charlottetown
Distinct Magic is a decor company that specializes in event planning.
Spokesfan
Yasir Gafar
Halifax
Spokesfan is developing a tool for marketers to track word-of-mouth recommendations on social media.
